Small crafts29 Fast Raiding, Interception and Special Forces Craft(11 for Special Operation use, 12 for use in the Dutch territories in the Caribbean and 6 to use in combination with the new Holland Class OPV's).

17 Fast raiding, Interception and special forces craft(for use as small landing crafts).

The Dutch Fleet now has a reduced size. This allows to have a maximum of 1 or 2 large warships (Destroyers/Frigates/OPV) constantly in overseas ops (a NATO requirement ?). But this size corresponds to the importance of this country in this world.Next fleet review/editorial: Future of the German Navy.

As usual, It may be that in my opinion, I forgot programs ? (or made few mistakes ?), then said it ! Feel free to comment and give your opinion !

7 comments:

Actually we have four submarines in service, not three. They are: * S802 Walrus* S803 Zeeleeuw* S808 Dolfijn* S810 Bruinvis

The fourth submarine is not in reserve, but is under long maintenance due to its Midlife-Update. Also, not enough crew is available to fully occupy that fourth submarine, but officially they are all four in service.

Mike, the Netherlands still has commitments in the Caribbean (protection of the Netherlands Antilles and prevention of drug smuggling) which require the presence of 1 surface combatant. In addition 1 ship will constantly be on NATO duties (e.g. anti-piracy patrol or other tasks). So, yes, 2 ships will always be away.

@ P.N:Maybe a too expensive "mid-life update" or maybe the 1970's/1980's hull design were too short/small to receive this system (except a additional plug-hull = a very expensive mid-life update for a 20+ year old SSK hull) ?

The minister of Defence Hans Hillen made the upcomming budget cuts public today they will cut a total of 1 billion euro and will include:- The navy will go from 10 to 6 minehunters.- The navy will not commission 2 of the 4 Holland Class Patrol Vessels.- The HNLMS Zuiderkruis will be decomissioned in 2011 instead of 2013.- HLNSM Amsterdam will be in service up to 2014, and will be replaced bythe Joint Support Ship ''Karel Doorman''.- The Army will take close down 2 Tank- batallions.- The number of Artillery will be decreased, Pzh2000 + 120 mm mortars.- The Engineers will be decreased- The Army Air defence will be decreased and Medium range Anti Tank capacity on the Fenneks will be less.- The army will decrease its units in the GER-NL Corps.- The airforce will go from 87 to 68 F16's.- All 17 Cougar Helicopters will be out of service.- The 3rd ordered DC-10 will not come in to service.- Two Air defence platoons and one patriot battery will be taken out of service.- The Militairy police will cancel the new built patrol ship for the province of zeeland.- The number of generals (119) will be decreased to 80.- 1000 civil cars will be sold.